BALTIMORE — Two Baltimore woman were convicted of conspiracy to commit a retail theft scheme, Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced on Thursday.
According to the Attorney General, 55-year-old Lisa M. Williams, 55 and Lyric McLaughlin, 23 both pleaded guilty to the conspiracy to commit a retail theft of $100,000 or more.
From January 2017 to June 2017, Williams, McLaughlin and others participated in a retail theft scheme targeting several different retailers including Victoria's Secret and PINK, Dick's Sporting Goods, Hollister, JC Penney and Ulta. According to the information presented in court, they would enter the stores, select large amounts of merchandise from store displays, conceal the items in bags and then leave the stores without paying.
Both women would then use Instagram to advertise and sell the stolen merchandise. In June 2017, Maryland State Police executed a search warrant at WIlliams' home, where a location purchasers were often sent to buy the stolen items.
At her home, police recovered 99 boxes of accessories and clothing, many of which had price tags and security sensors still attached. Williams' cellphone was also recovered, which contained photos and texts of the stolen goods.
The Attorney General reported that the scheme took place in counties across the state, with losses totaling more than $100,000.
“These two women participated in an organized scheme to steal thousands of dollars’ worth of goods,” said Attorney General Frosh. “They walked into stores, stuffed their bags with luxury items and just walked out. The thefts and subsequent sales were brazen and numerous. Honest businesses can take comfort in the fact that we will prosecute and shut down theft rings like this one.”
McLaughlin was sentenced to four years and Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24.
